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| Expert Rating: 6.1/10 | Quick Specs | |
| Cars.com says: The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos subcompact SUV looks like a baby Telluride and has a roomy and comfortable interior, but its price climbs into compact SUV territory. | Test vehicle | 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX AWD |
| As-tested price (including destination fee) | $37,205 | |
| Horsepower | 190 | |
| Combined mpg rating | 26 | |
The Kia Seltos has been a favorite of Cars.com’s Editorial staff since its debut as a 2021 model, winning both subcompact SUV comparisons we’ve held since then. After some minor updates during its first generation, the Seltos is all-new for 2027. Updated exterior styling gives the new Seltos an appealing baby-Kia Telluride appearance, and a longer wheelbase increases space for passengers inside.
While the Seltos’ gasoline powertrains carry over mostly unchanged, Kia has added a hybrid Seltos for 2027. We’ll be excited to test that when it’s available, but for this review, we drove a range-topping X-Line SX trim level, which uses the Seltos’ available turbo four-cylinder gas engine and all-wheel drive.
The promise of an embiggened Seltos may be enticing for many SUV shoppers, but I wonder how many will go to a Kia dealership then pivot to the larger Sportage compact SUV instead. Are the changes to the Seltos an improvement compared with the previous generation? Is bigger always better? Should you wait for the hybrid?
Related: Shop for a New Kia Seltos Near You
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Expert Rating: 6.1/10
- Powertrain: 5/10
- Ride quality: 7/10
- Driver comfort: 8/10
- Passenger comfort: 9/10
- Interior quality: 7/10
- User interface: 8/10
- Cargo space: 7/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall appeal: 4/10
- Fuel economy: 3/10
Here are five things we like about the new Kia Seltos X-Line SX AWD and five we don’t.
What Do We Like About the 2027 Kia Seltos?
1. Space for Adults in the Front and Rear Seats
The biggest benefit of the Seltos’ redesign is a massive increase in interior room, particularly in the backseat. The old Seltos’ backseat wasn’t a penalty box, but taller adults often felt cramped. The new model feels almost as spacious as a compact SUV, which is a class larger than the Seltos; there was enough room for my 6-foot-1-inch frame to fit behind my own driving position.
2. Comfortable Ride
Another benefit to the Seltos’ increased wheelbase is a very comfortable, planted ride. Again, while that wasn’t a weak point of the old model, the new Seltos glides comfortably over most road imperfections without frustrating the driver or upsetting occupants — even with the X-Line SX’s standard 19-inch wheels. Handling doesn’t feel as sharp as in the old model, but most subcompact SUV shoppers are likely more interested in a cushy ride than driving excitement.
3. Available Premium Features
The Seltos has long been a class leader when it comes to premium feature content, and that continues for 2027. An available hands-free power liftgate is a standout feature, especially for parents of young kids (like myself) who may not always have a free hand when approaching their vehicle. Our test vehicle was also equipped with higher-end safety tech, including Kia’s blind spot view monitor and a 360-degree camera system. The 2027 Seltos also gains some important features the old model lacked, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity throughout the lineup and available dual-zone automatic climate control.
4. Easy-to-Use Touchscreen
Kia may have upgraded the Seltos’ interior tech, but one thing it didn’t change is the infotainment touchscreen’s ease of use. Kia has used the interface seen on the Seltos’ 12.3-inch screen for a few model years now, and it isn’t especially futuristic from a graphics standpoint, but it’s still one of the best in the industry when it comes to intuitive operation. Its menus are straightforward, and accomplishing tasks takes a minimum number of screen taps.
5. Child-Safety Seat Fitment
While the first-gen Seltos won every one of our subcompact SUV challenges in which it participated, it never performed particularly well in our car–seat testing. The 2027 Seltos, however, earned straight As in our car-seat tests. I managed to fit two bulky rear-facing car seats in the back with ease, without needing to modify my wife’s and my comfortable seating positions up front.
What Do We Dislike About the 2027 Kia Seltos?
1. Anemic Power With Available Turbo Engine
As a fan of the first-gen Seltos, the experience behind the wheel of this new one was disappointing. The powertrain in the X-Line SX carries over from the first-gen Seltos — that model’s more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 190 horsepower — but the performance very obviously does not. Lesser 2027 models get a 147-hp four-cylinder and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The turbo pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and also includes standard AWD, but while that combination made the first-gen Seltos borderline sporty, it struggles in this bigger and heavier SUV. Much like its handling, however, this likely won’t be a deal breaker for subcompact-SUV shoppers.
2. Poor Gas Mileage
A bigger concern for those shoppers might be the Seltos’ mediocre gas mileage. Front-wheel-drive models with the base engine earn an EPA-rated 30 mpg combined, with AWD versions earning a 28 mpg rating. The turbo model is rated a dismal 26 mpg combined. We expect better gas mileage from the upcoming hybrid Seltos, but that will also come with a higher starting price.
3. Cost of the Top-of-the-Line X-Line SX
Which brings us to another potential issue with the new Seltos: While the base model starts at $26,485, our loaded X-Line SX test vehicle had an as-tested price of $37,205. That’s a lot to ask for a subcompact SUV — particularly one that’s neither sporty nor efficient. At that price, shoppers might consider switching to a compact SUV. In addition to more space, a $37,000-$39,000 budget is enough to get a decently equipped hybrid compact SUV, like the Toyota RAV4 XLE, Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid or Kia’s own Sportage Hybrid. More space and more efficiency for about the same price is tough to pass up, though that loaded Seltos will likely have more features than a comparably priced compact.
| 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX AWD Research | Shop | 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid X-Line AWD Research | Shop | 2027 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid AWD Research | Shop | 2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium AWD Research | Shop | |
| Price (incl. destination) | $37,205 (as-tested) | $37,285 | $39,080 | $39,095 |
| Engine | Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder | Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor | 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors | 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors |
| EPA-estimated MPG (city/highway/combined) | 24/30/26 | 35/36/35 | 40/34/37 | 45/38/41 |
| Backseat legroom (inches) | 39 | 41.3 | 41 | 37.8 |
4. Annoying Climate Controls
While the Seltos has physical controls for basic climate functions, there’s also an available digital climate control panel to the left of the infotainment touchscreen. My test car had it, but it was almost entirely hidden by the rim of the steering wheel after I’d adjusted it to my driving position. Either way, it’s also difficult to operate while on the move. I haven’t liked this feature since I first encountered it in a Kia, and I wish the automaker would find a different design for these functions.
5. Key Features Aren’t Available in Lower Trims
As if the Seltos’ as-tested price wasn’t concerning enough on its own, shoppers interested in some of this SUV’s more advanced available features will really have to pay for them. Things like Kia’s excellent blind spot view monitor, which is a turn-signal-activated camera system that shows the driver what’s beside the car in the direction they’re signaling, comes only on the top X-Line SX, and it’s not even standard; you’ll still have to pay for a $2,500 X-Line SX Prestige Package. Besides the immediate monetary cost, remember that this trim level is also only available with the turbocharged engine, which brings poor gas mileage and thus higher long-term costs.
How Does the 2027 Kia Seltos Compare With Prior Seltos Models?
| 2027 Kia Seltos Research | Shop | 2026 Kia Seltos Research | Shop | |
| Engine(s) | 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder | 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder |
| EPA-estimated MPG (city/highway/combined) | 28/33/30 (2.0, FWD); 26/30/28 (2.0, AWD); 24/30/26 (turbo 1.6, AWD) | 27/31/29 (2.0, AWD); 24/27/25 (turbo 1.6, AWD) |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 105.9 | 103.5 |
| Overall length (inches) | 174.4 | 172.6 |
| Backseat legroom (inches) | 39 | 38 |
The 2027 Kia Seltos is largely — pun intended — better than the first-generation Seltos. The driving experience is significantly less fun, but trading that for significantly more interior space and better tech and ride comfort is a deal worth making. The wildcard in this comparison is the upcoming Seltos Hybrid — a first for the model. Adding better gas mileage to this roomy, comfy SUV should make it appealing to more shoppers and put the Seltos in a better position to compete with hybrid subcompact SUVs like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.
2027 Kia Seltos Vs. the Competition
| 2027 Kia Seltos Research | Shop | 2027 Honda HR-V Research | Shop | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Research | Shop | 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Research | Shop | |
| Expert rating | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
| Engine(s) | 2.0-liter four-cylinder; turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder | 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 2.5-liter four-cylinder | 2.0-liter four-cylinder (gas-only); 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors (hybrid) |
| EPA-estimated MPG (city/highway/combined) | 28/33/30 (2.0, FWD); 26/30/28 (2.0, AWD); 24/30/26 (1.6 turbo, AWD) | 26/32/28 (FWD); 25/30/27 (AWD) | 26/33/29 (AWD) | 46/39/42 (AWD, hybrid); 31/33/32 (FWD, gas-only); 29/31/30 (AWD, gas-only) |
| Starting price (incl. destination) | $26,485 | $28,150 | $28,470 | $26,930 |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 105.9 | 104.5 | 105.1 | 103.9 |
| Backseat legroom (inches) | 39 | 37.7 | 36.7 | 32 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the 2027 Kia Seltos go on sale? Gas-only versions of the 2027 Seltos are currently on sale. The Seltos Hybrid is scheduled to arrive toward the end of 2026.
- How much does the 2027 Seltos cost? The 2027 Seltos has a starting price of $26,485, while the fully loaded, range-topping X-Line SX we drove had an as-tested price of $37,205.
- What’s new for the 2027 Seltos? Kia completely redesigned the Seltos for 2027, giving it baby-Telluride looks and a roomier interior, with added tech and features that were unavailable in the first-gen Seltos.
- Is there a hybrid version of the 2027 Seltos? There will be; Kia says we should expect it toward the end of 2026.
- What engines are available, and is AWD offered? In the gas-only Seltos, the base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 hp. That engine can be had with FWD or AWD. The X-Line SX is powered by a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, and AWD is standard.
- Is the 2027 Seltos fast? No. In its defense, no subcompact SUV is particularly fast, but the new Seltos feels slower than the old model despite using the same engines as before. We hope the Seltos Hybrid will be a bit quicker.
More 2027 Kia Seltos News From Cars.com:
- Up Close With the 2027 Kia Seltos, Seltos Hybrid: Bigger and Better
- 2026 New York Auto Show Best in Show: 2027 Kia Seltos, Seltos Hybrid
- See Every Photo We Took of the Redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos’ Interior
- The 2027 Kia Seltos is a Small SUV that Fits Car Seats Like a Big One
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2027 Kia Seltos?
- How Much Is the 2027 Kia Seltos?
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
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